Ordinary Old Catholic Me

Lord Let Resistance Not Be Futile

These are tough times. Others in our society are not unlike aliens who try to coopt our hearts and souls. We try to resist the false but we are only human and what is true and what is false becomes unclear to us. But we must persevere. We will not be assimilated by the purveyors of falsity. We pray for God's deliverance. 

Directed--to the Rosary Advocated by Venerable Father Patrick Peyton

A late priest I knew, Fr. Parnassus, often preached that there were no accidents with God. I have found that to be true. So, during this pandemic, this small podcast was born, and I discovered the Rosary and Fr. Peyton who promoted it back in the day. He is, from heaven I think, still promoting it. And I am doing my small part to help. In this world today, it is ever more important a life line to spiritual life. 

The Faces of Fear

Does fear get in our way of loving God and doing His Will? For you, what is Fear of God? And how do we distinguish it from the more human, dark kinds of fear? And what can we do about it?

Blessed Carlo and Friendship with Our Lord

The beatification of young Carlo Acutis got me thinking about sainthood and its relationship to you and me. What does a 15 year old boy who died of leukemia have to teach us? A lot, I am thinking. 
 
Photo from Angelus.com

Lord, Give Me Peace

This episode was suggested by a friend. As with all the others, it is a large subject and how to acquire peace in this life or the next is one of controversy. But here is how I put together in this ever so short and imperfect effort, my thoughts as an Ordinary, very much struggling, Catholic. 

What the Hell?

I read a book, "Dare We Hope" not long ago, and it raised lots of issues regarding hell. The premise, has since the beginning of Catholicism to date, led to a lot of debate. It is whether we can hope that no one is in that place, state, or whatever we conclude it is called "Hell". Dare We Hope opens the possibility that the separation may not be permanent despite our poor exercise of free will.  Is that a good thing? I throw it out for us to consider. 

Too Much Petition, Not Enough Adoration?

Do we ask too much of God with demanding expectation and not enough understanding of His Plan? Wander with me as I explore whether we need to do less petitioning and more the other forms of prayer, Adoration, Thanksgiving and Repentence. And how does the Rosary turn out to impact my conclusion? Sometimes while I am doing these podcasts I get surprised by the Lord.

A Conversation with Actor/Writer and Catholic Richard Antonio

Another friend from my parish willing to sit down with Ordinary Old Catholic Me and talk about how his life is informed by the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church. Thanks to actor/writer/transplanted New Yorker, Richard Antonio for sitting down with me to talk a bit about the integration of faith with daily life. 

In Search of An Integrated Spiritual Life

I started this podcast in tough times--are there any other? And tough times they remain. The pressures of the world and our/my activities with the sometimes approach the overwhelming. And the inner spiritual life sometimes seems isolated from the daily, where it is, really most needed. Just some thoughts on the dilemma, for me. And for you?

On the Galilee with the Lord Who Calms Sea and Soul

Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee when the Apostles became overwhelmed by fear.  I got a chance to be on a boat on that very water. He was not there in the way the Apostles saw Him, but His Presence was indeed.  I am sure I felt it, despite my heart of anxiety. He is with us always especially when we fear. We must pray hard for the Grace to understand that, and to accept it, and to banish the fear we have as we go through our lives.